I started reading this without looking at the author and assumed it was a man, even though I saw the woman’s back in the story….what does that say about preconceptions? (now that I’ve re-read it, must have been the line, “I guess you’re a better man than me”.) I thought that it takes great strength and self confidence for a man to appear vulnerable, but I also think empathetic men do that naturally. Now that I know you are a woman, I am going to read it again. I applaud you for being honest and encourage others to do the same….everybody is down at some point and like you say, sharing this low opens us up to help and embrace when we need it most!